Patna: The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) has declared a statewide bandh in Bihar on Thursday (September 4) in protest against alleged abusive comments directed at Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his late mother during a joint opposition event in the state.

Bihar BJP state president Dilip Jaiswal announced that the five-hour bandh will be observed from 7 am to 12 noon. He clarified that essential services, including emergency facilities and rail operations, will remain unaffected during the shutdown.

Who is leading the protest?

The BJP Mahila Morcha will be at the forefront of the demonstrations across the state.

What triggered the protest?

The bandh comes in response to objectionable comments reportedly made by Congress workers against Prime Minister Modi and his mother last week in Darbhanga during the Voter Adhikar Yatra.

Janata Dal (United) leader Umesh Kushwaha strongly condemned the remarks. He stated:

"During the opposition's rally in Darbhanga, abusive words were used against Prime Minister Modi and his mother. This is wrong, both morally and politically."

He further added, "Using such language is highly inappropriate, and so far, the Mahagathbandhan leaders have not apologised. This shows how arrogant they are. They have insulted our mothers and sisters, and now we will retaliate. Therefore, the NDA has called for a Bihar bandh, and the women's wing will hold protests across Bihar."

How did PM Modi respond?

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday made an indirect jibe, apparently aimed at INDIA bloc leaders Rahul Gandhi and Tejashwi Yadav, referring to them as "namdaars". People born with a silver spoon who, he said, cannot understand the struggles of poor mothers or the pain endured by their children, since for them, "power" is merely "inheritance."

Referring to the alleged derogatory remarks made during the Voter Adhikar Yatra in Darbhanga last week, the Prime Minister remarked, "The struggles (Tapasya) of a poor mother, the suffering of her son, these young princes born into royal families cannot understand. These 'naamdaar' people were born with a silver spoon in their mouths. The power of the country and Bihar seems like an inheritance of their family to them."

ANI inputs